Method and System for Conducting Examinations Over Blockchain

ABSTRACT

A method for examination scoring via blockchain includes: receiving, by a receiver of a processing server, an answer submission from an external computing device, wherein the answer submission includes at least one digital signature and a plurality of exam answers; validating, by a processing device of the processing server, the digital signature using a public key of a cryptographic key pair; determining, for each of the plurality of exam answers, if the respective exam answer is correct or incorrect based on an answer key; generating, for each correct exam answer, a blockchain data value, wherein the blockchain data value includes at least the validated digital signature; transmitting, by a transmitter of the processing server, the generated blockchain data values to one or more nodes in a blockchain network for validation and addition to a blockchain associated with the blockchain network.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the conducting of examinations over ablockchain, specifically the use of a blockchain to track answers for anexamination to provide for accurate and auditable scoring with fulltransparency.

BACKGROUND

Traditionally, examinations, including student examinations, entranceexams, aptitude tests, employee evaluations, etc., are conducted in avery closed process with scoring being done either manually or throughscanning machines that have significant error rates. In an effort tostreamline the process and lessen the possibility for error, many examsare conducted electronically, such as through a computer. Examinationsdone on a computer will often have answers scored immediately and withless error than in non-electronic methods.

However, the lack of transparency in the administration and scoring ofelectronic exams can be problematic. For instance, a test taker may beinsistent that they did not answer in a manner suggested by theadministering system, or may disagree with the score provided. If thesystem is not configured to make the detailed scoring informationavailable, there may be no feasible way to resolve the dispute in amanner that is satisfactory to the test taker. In cases where detailedscoring information is available, because the system is a closed system,there is a risk that the data has been tampered with or otherwisecompromised.

Thus, there is a need for an electronic examination system where thereis complete transparency with respect to scoring of the examination,where there is also an inability for the scores to be tampered with.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides a description of systems and methods forexamination scoring via blockchain. When an electronic exam isadministered, answers submitted by a test taker are provided along witha digital signature generated via a blockchain wallet unique to thattest taker. The digital signature is validated to ensure that it is theproper test taker, and the answers immediately scored and the resultsstored on a blockchain. In an exemplary embodiment, each correct answeris added as a separate entry on the blockchain. The overall score canthen be easily calculated via the number of entries on the blockchainfor that test taker and test. The use of a blockchain prevents anytampering due to the immutable nature of the blockchain, while at thesame time providing complete transparency as to the results of the test;the results are undisputed. The blockchain can also be extended to storetest results, negative answers, and/or the test itself to furtherincrease the protections and transparency of the examination process.

A method for examination scoring via blockchain includes: receiving, bya receiver of a processing server, an answer submission from an externalcomputing device, wherein the answer submission includes at least onedigital signature and a plurality of exam answers; validating, by aprocessing device of the processing server, the digital signature usinga public key of a cryptographic key pair; determining, for each of theplurality of exam answers, if the respective exam answer is correct orincorrect based on an answer key; generating, for each correct examanswer, a blockchain data value, wherein the blockchain data valueincludes at least the validated digital signature; transmitting, by atransmitter of the processing server, the generated blockchain datavalues to one or more nodes in a blockchain network for validation andaddition to a blockchain associated with the blockchain network.

A system for examination scoring via blockchain includes: a receiver ofa processing server configured to receive an answer submission from anexternal computing device, wherein the answer submission includes atleast one digital signature and a plurality of exam answers; aprocessing device of the processing server configured to validate thedigital signature using a public key of a cryptographic key pair,determine, for each of the plurality of exam answers, if the respectiveexam answer is correct or incorrect based on an answer key, andgenerate, for each correct exam answer, a blockchain data value, whereinthe blockchain data value includes at least the validated digitalsignature; and a transmitter of the processing server configured totransmit the generated blockchain data values to one or more nodes in ablockchain network for validation and addition to a blockchainassociated with the blockchain network.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

The scope of the present disclosure is best understood from thefollowing detailed description of exemplary embodiments when read inconjunction with the accompanying drawings. Included in the drawings arethe following figures:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a high level system architecturefor examination scoring via blockchain in accordance with exemplaryembodiments.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the processing server of thesystem of FIG. 1 for scoring examinations using a blockchain inaccordance with exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating a process for the scoring of anexamination via blockchain executed by the processing server of FIG. 2in accordance with exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method for examinationscoring via blockchain in accordance with exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a computer system architecture inaccordance with exemplary embodiments.

Further areas of applicability of the present disclosure will becomeapparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It shouldbe understood that the detailed description of exemplary embodiments areintended for illustration purposes only and are, therefore, not intendedto necessarily limit the scope of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Glossary of Terms

Blockchain—A public ledger of all transactions of a blockchain-basedcurrency. One or more computing devices may comprise a blockchainnetwork, which may be configured to process and record transactions aspart of a block in the blockchain. Once a block is completed, the blockis added to the blockchain and the transaction record thereby updated.In many instances, the blockchain may be a ledger of transactions inchronological order, or may be presented in any other order that may besuitable for use by the blockchain network. In some configurations,transactions recorded in the blockchain may include a destinationaddress and a currency amount, such that the blockchain records how muchcurrency is attributable to a specific address. In some instances, thetransactions are financial and others not financial, or might includeadditional or different information, such as a source address,timestamp, etc. In some embodiments, a blockchain may also oralternatively include nearly any type of data as a form of transactionthat is or needs to be placed in a distributed database that maintains acontinuously growing list of data records hardened against tampering andrevision, even by its operators, and may be confirmed and validated bythe blockchain network through proof of work and/or any other suitableverification techniques associated therewith. In some cases, dataregarding a given transaction may further include additional data thatis not directly part of the transaction appended to transaction data. Insome instances, the inclusion of such data in a blockchain mayconstitute a transaction. In such instances, a blockchain may not bedirectly associated with a specific digital, virtual, fiat, or othertype of currency.

System for Examination Scoring via Blockchain

FIG. 1 illustrates a system 100 for the administration and scoring of anelectronic examination that is assisted via the use of a blockchain.

The system 100 may include a processing server 102. The processingserver 102, discussed in more detail below, may be configured to assistin the scoring, and in some cases the administration, of an electronicexam taken by a user 104. In the system 100, an electronic exam may beadministered to the user 104 via a computing device 106 operatedthereby. The computing device 106 may be any type of device suitable fortaking an electronic exam and submitting answers therefrom, such as aspecifically configured desktop computer, laptop computer, notebookcomputer, tablet computer, cellular phone, smart phone, smart watch,smart television, wearable computing device, implantable computingdevice, etc.

An electronic exam comprised of a plurality of questions, answers, andan answer key may be administered by an exam system 108. In someembodiments, the processing server 102 may operate as the exam system108 and configured to perform the functions thereof as discussed herein.For administration of the examination, exam questions and potentialanswers for each exam question may be electronically transmitted to thecomputing device 106 using a suitable communication network and method.In some embodiments, the exam questions may only be made available tothe computing device 106 at a predetermined period of time and/or whenthe user 104 or computing device 106 is authenticated, as discussed inmore detail below.

The computing device 106 may display exam questions and potentialanswers to the user 104 via a display device interfaced therewith. Usingan interfaced input device, the user 104 may select a potential answerfor each exam question, which may then be submitted to the processingserver 102. In some embodiments, each answer may be submitted as theyare selected by the user 104 (e.g., for submission; in some cases theuser 104 may be able to change their selected answer until they decideto submit the answer for scoring). In other embodiments, all of theanswers may be submitted to the processing server 102 at the same timefor scoring.

In the system 100, the user 104 (or computing device 106, as applicable)may have a blockchain wallet associated therewith that is unique to thatuser 104 (or computing device 106, as applicable). The blockchain walletmay be associated with a blockchain network 110 that is used to manageone or more blockchains. A blockchain wallet may be an applicationprogram that is executed by the computing device 106 associated with theuser 104. A blockchain wallet may include a private key of acryptographic key pair that is used to generate digital signatures thatserve as authorization by the user 104 for a blockchain transaction orotherwise authenticate the user 104, where the digital signature can beverified by the blockchain network 110 and/or processing server 102using the public key of the cryptographic key pair. In some cases, theterm “blockchain wallet” may refer specifically to the private key.

The blockchain network 110 may be comprised of a plurality of nodes.Each node may be a computing system that is configured to performfunctions related to the processing and management of the blockchain,including the generation of blockchain data values, verification ofproposed blockchain transactions, verification of digital signatures,generation of new blocks, validation of new blocks, and maintenance of acopy of the blockchain. In some embodiments, the processing server 102may be a node in the blockchain network 110. The blockchain may be adistributed ledger that is comprised of at least a plurality of blocks.Each block may include at least a block header and one or more datavalues. Each block header may include at least a timestamp, a blockreference value, and a data reference value. The timestamp may be a timeat which the block header was generated, and may be represented usingany suitable method (e.g., UNIX timestamp, DateTime, etc.). The blockreference value may be a value that references an earlier block (e.g.,based on timestamp) in the blockchain. In some embodiments, a blockreference value in a block header may be a reference to the block headerof the most recently added block prior to the respective block. In anexemplary embodiment, the block reference value may be a hash valuegenerated via the hashing of the block header of the most recently addedblock. The data reference value may similarly be a reference to the oneor more data values stored in the block that includes the block header.In an exemplary embodiment, the data reference value may be a hash valuegenerated via the hashing of the one or more data values. For instance,the block reference value may be the root of a Merkle tree generatedusing the one or more data values.

The use of the block reference value and data reference value in eachblock header may result in the blockchain being immutable. Any attemptedmodification to a data value would require the generation of a new datareference value for that block, which would thereby require thesubsequent block's block reference value to be newly generated, furtherrequiring the generation of a new block reference value in everysubsequent block. This would have to be performed and updated in everysingle node in the blockchain network 110 prior to the generation andaddition of a new block to the blockchain in order for the change to bemade permanent. Computational and communication limitations may makesuch a modification exceedingly difficult, if not impossible, thusrendering the blockchain immutable.

Each blockchain data value may correspond to an exam answer submitted bythe user 104. The computing device 106 may submit (e.g., as instructedby the user 104) an exam answer as well as the exam question or anindication related thereto (e.g., a question number) to the processingserver 102 along with the digital signature generated using the user'sblockchain wallet. The processing server 102 may validate the digitalsignature using a public key corresponding to the private key of theuser's blockchain wallet. In some cases, when the user 104 registers totake the exam, the processing server 102 may generate the cryptographickey pair and provide the private key to the user 104 and retain thepublic key that is associated with the user 104 as part of theregistration. In other cases, when the user 104 registers to take theexam, the user may submit the public key of their cryptographic keypair, which the processing server 102 may thereby associate with theuser 104. When answers are submitted, the user 104 may (e.g., via thecomputing device 106) supply an identifier or other value used toidentify the user 104 submitting the answers, which may be used by theprocessing server 102 to identify the appropriate public key.

Upon validation of the digital signature, the submitted answer may bescored by the processing server 102 based on the answer key provided bythe exam system 108. The processing server 102 may generate a newblockchain data value that for the answer that is submitted to a node inthe blockchain network 110 for validation and inclusion in a new blockthat is validated and added to the blockchain. In some embodiments, eachblockchain wallet (e.g., user 104) may have its own blockchainassociated therewith that answers are added to. In other embodiments, asingle blockchain may store answers submitted by multiple users 104. Insuch embodiments, the identifier associated with the user may beincluded in the blockchain data value. In cases where multipleexaminations may have scores stored on a single blockchain, furtheridentifying information may be stored in the blockchain data value asapplicable. For instance, if one blockchain stores answers for all examsadministered in a school, a blockchain data value may includeidentifiers for the class, exam, and student in addition to the examquestion and submitted answer.

In one embodiment, only correct answers may be submitted to theblockchain network 110 for addition to the blockchain. In such anembodiment, the user's score may be easily calculated by calculating thenumber of blockchain data values entered for the user 104 for aparticular exam. In some such embodiments, incorrect answers may bestored in a separate blockchain or a sidechain, such as to provideadditional transparency to the user 104 and auditors such that the user104 will not be able to dispute their submitted answers. In otherembodiments, each blockchain data value may include a flag indicating ifthe answer is correct or incorrect. In such embodiments, scoring of theexam for a user 104 may require identification of the flags in each ofthe blockchain data values stored in the blockchain for that exam forthat user 104.

In some embodiments, each answer may be submitted to the processingserver 102 separately by the computing device 106 and accompanied by adigital signature generated using the user's blockchain wallet. In otherembodiments, all of the user's answers may be submitted to theprocessing server 102 in a single submission. In such embodiments, asingle digital signature may be provided or the computing device 106 maygenerate a separate digital signature for each of the answers that aresubmitted. In the latter case, the processing server 102 may onlyevaluate answers where the accompanying digital signature is determinedto be valid. In instances where a digital signature may be invalid, theuser 104 may be instructed (e.g., through the computing device 106) toresubmit their answer and/or digital signature.

The storage of exam answers on a blockchain may provide for transparencyas the blockchain may be made publicly viewable, but where the answersthemselves are protected from tampering due to the immutability of theblockchain. In cases where answers from multiple users are stored on ablockchain, the transparency can be provided while maintaining userprivacy if the identifier associated with a user 104 is not personallyidentifiable of that user 104. In addition, if an answer is added to theblockchain only upon successful validation of a digital signature, theblockchain may be made entirely public without restricting the computingsystems that may operate as nodes in the blockchain network 110.

In some embodiments, exam questions may be stored on a blockchain. Insome cases, the exam questions may be stored on the same blockchain assubmitted answers. In other cases, the exam questions may be stored on aseparate blockchain. In some instances, exam questions may be stored ona blockchain following administration of the exam, such as to preventunauthorized access of the exam questions ahead of the examination. Inother cases, exam questions may be stored on a blockchain andadministered therefrom. In such cases, access to the blockchain ordirectly to the exam questions may be prevented until the exam is to beadministered, such as through encryption or other methods for dataaccess restriction. For instance, the exam questions may be stored in aprivate blockchain where they are not made available until apredetermined time when the exam it so be administered. In anotherexample, when the user 104 registers for the exam and the processingserver 102 generates the cryptographic key pair for the user 104, theprocessing server 102 may keep track of the exam that the user 104registers for; when the user 104 wants to take the exam, they mustsupply their digital signature, which must be validated by theprocessing server 102 before the user 104 is provided with access to ordirectly provided the exam questions. In yet another example, the examquestions may be encrypted in such a manner that decrypted cannot beperformed until a predetermined time. In some cases, the answer key mayalso be stored in the blockchain where access thereto is prevented untilafter the exam has been administered (e.g., to the particular user 104or to all users taking the exam, as applicable).

In some embodiment, exam scores may also be stored in a blockchain. Insome cases, the exam scores may be stored in the same blockchain as examanswers. In other cases, exam scores may be stored in a separateblockchain. In such cases, each exam score may be stored in a blockchaindata value along with the user's identifier and an identifier associatedwith the exam to which it is related. The storage of scores directly inthe blockchain may provide convenience to users 104, where the scoresmay be independently verifiable through the blockchain used to store thecorresponding exam answers.

Processing Server

FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a processing server 102 in thesystem 100. It will be apparent to persons having skill in the relevantart that the embodiment of the processing server 102 illustrated in FIG.2 is provided as illustration only and may not be exhaustive to allpossible configurations of the processing server 102 suitable forperforming the functions as discussed herein. For example, the computersystem 500 illustrated in FIG. 5 and discussed in more detail below maybe a suitable configuration of the processing server 102.

The processing server 102 may include a receiving device 202. Thereceiving device 202 may be configured to receive data over one or morenetworks via one or more network protocols. In some instances, thereceiving device 202 may be configured to receive data from computingdevices 106, exam systems 108, blockchain networks 110, and othersystems and entities via one or more communication methods, such asradio frequency, local area networks, wireless area networks, cellularcommunication networks, Bluetooth, the Internet, etc. In someembodiments, the receiving device 202 may be comprised of multipledevices, such as different receiving devices for receiving data overdifferent networks, such as a first receiving device for receiving dataover a local area network and a second receiving device for receivingdata via the Internet. The receiving device 202 may receiveelectronically transmitted data signals, where data may be superimposedor otherwise encoded on the data signal and decoded, parsed, read, orotherwise obtained via receipt of the data signal by the receivingdevice 202. In some instances, the receiving device 202 may include aparsing module for parsing the received data signal to obtain the datasuperimposed thereon. For example, the receiving device 202 may includea parser program configured to receive and transform the received datasignal into usable input for the functions performed by the processingdevice to carry out the methods and systems described herein.

The receiving device 202 may be configured to receive data signalselectronically transmitted by computing devices 106 that may besuperimposed or otherwise encoded with exam registration data (e.g.,including an exam identifier, user identifier, and, in some cases, apublic key), exam question requests (e.g., including an exam identifier,user identifier, and digital signature), and exam answer submissions(e.g., including an exam identifier, user identifier, digital signature,exam question identifier, and submitted answer). The receiving device202 may also be configured to receive data signals electronicallytransmitted by exam systems 108, which may be superimposed or otherwiseencoded with exam questions, potential exam answers, and answer keys.The receiving device 202 may also be configured to receive data signalselectronically transmitted by nodes in a blockchain network 110, whichmay be superimposed or otherwise encoded with blockchain data, includingblockchain data values, confirmations of successful additions to theblockchain, etc.

The processing server 102 may also include a communication module 204.The communication module 204 may be configured to transmit data betweenmodules, engines, databases, memories, and other components of theprocessing server 102 for use in performing the functions discussedherein. The communication module 204 may be comprised of one or morecommunication types and utilize various communication methods forcommunications within a computing device. For example, the communicationmodule 204 may be comprised of a bus, contact pin connectors, wires,etc. In some embodiments, the communication module 204 may also beconfigured to communicate between internal components of the processingserver 102 and external components of the processing server 102, such asexternally connected databases, display devices, input devices, etc. Theprocessing server 102 may also include a processing device. Theprocessing device may be configured to perform the functions of theprocessing server 102 discussed herein as will be apparent to personshaving skill in the relevant art. In some embodiments, the processingdevice may include and/or be comprised of a plurality of engines and/ormodules specially configured to perform one or more functions of theprocessing device, such as a querying module 218, generation module 220,validation module 222, etc. As used herein, the term “module” may besoftware or hardware particularly programmed to receive an input,perform one or more processes using the input, and provides an output.The input, output, and processes performed by various modules will beapparent to one skilled in the art based upon the present disclosure.

The processing server 102 may include an exam database 206. The examdatabase 206 may be configured to store a plurality of exam profiles 208using a suitable data storage format and schema. The exam database 206may be a relational database that utilizes structured query language forthe storage, identification, modifying, updating, accessing, etc. ofstructured data sets stored therein. Each exam profile 208 may be astructured data set configured to store data related to an exam. Theexam profile 208 may include an identifier associated with the exam, aplurality of exam questions, potential answers for each exam question,and an answer key including the correct answers for each exam question.In some cases, an exam profile 208 may also store information regardingeach user 104 registered to take the exam, such as the public key anduser identifier for each user 104. In some instances, timing informationregarding administration of the related exam may be stored in the examprofile 208.

The processing server 102 may include a querying module 218. Thequerying module 218 may be configured to execute queries on databases toidentify information. The querying module 218 may receive one or moredata values or query strings, and may execute a query string basedthereon on an indicated database, such as the exam database 206, toidentify information stored therein. The querying module 218 may thenoutput the identified information to an appropriate engine or module ofthe processing server 102 as necessary. The querying module 218 may, forexample, execute a query on the exam database 206 to identify an answerkey for an exam for use in determining if answers submitted by a user104 are correct or incorrect.

The processing server 102 may also include a generation module 220. Thegeneration module 220 may be configured to generate data for use by theprocessing server 102 in performing the functions discussed herein. Thegeneration module 220 may receive instructions as input, may generatedata based on the instructions, and may output the generated data to oneor more modules of the processing server 102. For example, thegeneration module 220 may be configured to generate cryptographic keypairs for distribution of private keys to user 104 for takingexaminations, generate blockchain data values for received answersubmissions, generate blockchain data values for received examquestions, potential answers, and answers keys, etc.

The processing server 102 may also include a validation module 222. Thevalidation module 222 may be configured to validate data for theprocessing server 102 as part of the functions discussed herein. Thevalidation module 222 may receive data to be validated as input, mayattempt validation of the data, and may output a result of the attemptedvalidation. In some cases, the validation module 222 may be providedwith other data to be used in the validation. In other cases, thevalidation module 222 may be configured to identify (e.g., with the useof other modules and memory, such as the querying module 218 and examdatabase 206) other data to be used in the validation. The validationmodule 222 may be configured to, for example, validate digitalsignatures using public keys and appropriate signature generationalgorithms.

The processing server 102 may also include a transmitting device 224.The transmitting device 224 may be configured to transmit data over oneor more networks via one or more network protocols. In some instances,the transmitting device 224 may be configured to transmit data tocomputing devices 106, exam systems 108, blockchain networks 110, andother entities via one or more communication methods, local areanetworks, wireless area networks, cellular communication, Bluetooth,radio frequency, the Internet, etc. In some embodiments, thetransmitting device 224 may be comprised of multiple devices, such asdifferent transmitting devices for transmitting data over differentnetworks, such as a first transmitting device for transmitting data overa local area network and a second transmitting device for transmittingdata via the Internet. The transmitting device 224 may electronicallytransmit data signals that have data superimposed that may be parsed bya receiving computing device. In some instances, the transmitting device224 may include one or more modules for superimposing, encoding, orotherwise formatting data into data signals suitable for transmission.

The transmitting device 224 may be configured to electronically transmitdata signals to computing devices 106 that are superimposed or otherwiseencoded with exam questions and potential answers, private keys forcryptographic key pairs, exam scores, or other data as discussed herein.The transmitting device 224 may also be configured to electronicallytransmit data signals to exam systems 108, which may be superimposed orotherwise encoded with requests for exam data, identified exam scores,etc. The transmitting device 224 may also be configured toelectronically transmit data signals to nodes in a blockchain network110 that are superimposed or otherwise encoded with blockchain datavalues for inclusion in a new block that is validated and added to theblockchain.

The processing server 102 may also include a memory 226. The memory 226may be configured to store data for use by the processing server 102 inperforming the functions discussed herein, such as public and privatekeys, symmetric keys, etc. The memory 226 may be configured to storedata using suitable data formatting methods and schema and may be anysuitable type of memory, such as read-only memory, random access memory,etc. The memory 226 may include, for example, encryption keys andalgorithms, communication protocols and standards, data formattingstandards and protocols, program code for modules and applicationprograms of the processing device, and other data that may be suitablefor use by the processing server 102 in the performance of the functionsdisclosed herein as will be apparent to persons having skill in therelevant art. In some embodiments, the memory 226 may be comprised of ormay otherwise include a relational database that utilizes structuredquery language for the storage, identification, modifying, updating,accessing, etc. of structured data sets stored therein. The memory 226may be configured to store, for example, blockchain data, hashingalgorithms for generating blocks, public keys, user identifiers, examidentifiers, exam data, etc.

Process for Examination Scoring

FIG. 3 illustrates an example process 300 for the scoring of anexamination via use of a blockchain as executed by the processing server102 of FIG. 2 in the system 100. In the process 300, the exam isadministered to the user 104 one question at a time, with answersreceived accordingly. It will be apparent to persons having skill in therelevant art that the exam may be administered in other manners with theexam still being scored via the system 100 as discussed above.

In step 302, the receiving device 202 of the processing server 102 mayreceive an exam request from a computing device 106 as submitted by auser 104 requesting to take an examination. The exam request may includeat least an exam identifier, user identifier, and a digital signaturegenerated with a private key by the computing device 106. In step 304,the processing server 102 may determine if the digital signatureprovided in the exam request is valid. The determination may include thequerying module 218 of the processing server 102 executing a query onthe exam database 206 to identify an exam profile 208 for the exam usingthe exam identifier, identifying a public key in the exam profile 208(e.g., or the memory 226, as applicable) that is associated with theuser identifier, and the validation module 222 of the processing server102 attempting to validate the digital signature using the identifiedpublic key.

If the validation is unsuccessful, then, in step 306, the transmittingdevice 224 of the processing server 102 may electronically transmit anerror notification to the computing device 106 indicating that thedigital signature is invalid. The user 104 may then be able to re-submittheir request with a different digital signature, exam identifier, useridentifier, etc. If the validation is successful, then, in step 308, thetransmitting device 224 of the processing server 102 may electronicallytransmit the next exam question to be administered to the computingdevice 106 for answering by the user 104. In step 310, the processingserver 102 may determine if the transmission was successful or if all ofthe questions have been administered.

If the transmission was successful (e.g., the exam questions are notfinished), then, in step 312, the receiving device 202 may receive anexam answer submitted by the user 104 via the computing device 106 forthe most recently transmitted question. In some cases, the answer may beaccompanied by the exam identifier, a question identifier, useridentifier, and a digital signature. In step 314, the validation module222 of the processing server 102 may determine if the answer is correct,such as by reviewing the answer key in the exam profile 208 for theadministered exam. If the answer is correct, then, in step 316, thedigital signature may be validated by the validation module 222 of theprocessing server 102 using the public key associated with the user 104.In some embodiments, the validation may be performed prior todetermining if the answer is correct. In some cases, the correct answermay not be honored if the digital signature is found to be invalid.

In step 318, the generation module 220 of the processing server 102 maygenerate a new blockchain data value for the correct answer, which mayinclude at least the exam identifier, user identifier, and questionidentifier. In some cases, the blockchain data value may also includethe correct answer or a flag that indicates that the question wasanswered correctly. In step 320, the transmitting device 224 of theprocessing server 102 may electronically transmit the new blockchaindata value to a node in the blockchain network 110 for addition to theblockchain. The process 300 may then return to step 308 foradministration of the next exam question. If, in step 314, theprocessing server 102 determined that the supplied answer was incorrect,then, in step 322, the incorrect answer may be added to a sidechain tothe blockchain. The addition of the incorrect answer may include thegeneration of a new blockchain data value by the generation module 220of the processing server 102 that includes the exam identifier, useridentifier, question identifier, and incorrect answer, which may then betransmitted to a node in the blockchain network 110 by the transmittingdevice 224 of the processing server 102. Following addition of theincorrect answer, the process 300 may return to step 308 foradministration of the next question for the exam.

Once, in step 310, it is determined that the exam has been finished,then, in step 324, the processing server 102 may calculate an overallexam score for the user 104. The score may be calculated by counting howmany new blockchain data values were added to the blockchain for theuser 104 for that exam, as each blockchain data value may correspond toa correct answer. In step 326, the transmitting device 224 of theprocessing server 102 may electronically transmit the user's exam scoreto the user 104 via the computing device 106. In some cases, the examscore may be transmitted to the exam system 108, which may provide theexam score to the user 104 via the computing device 106.

Exemplary Method for Examination Scoring via Blockchain

FIG. 4 illustrates a method 400 for the scoring of an electronicexamination via the use of a blockchain.

In step 402, an answer submission may be received by a receiver (e.g.,the receiving device 202) of a processing server (e.g., the processingserver 102) from an external computing device (e.g., the computingdevice 106), wherein the answer submission includes at least one digitalsignature and a plurality of exam answers. In step 404, the digitalsignature may be validated by a processing device (e.g., the validationmodule 222) of the processing server using a public key of acryptographic key pair.

In step 406, the processing server may determine if the respective examanswer is correct or incorrect for each of the plurality of exam answersbased on an answer key. In step 408, a blockchain data value may begenerated for each correct exam answer, wherein the blockchain datavalue includes at least the validated digital signature. In step 410,the generated blockchain data values may be transmitted by a transmitter(e.g., the transmitting device 224) of the processing server to one ormore nodes in a blockchain network (e.g., the blockchain network 110)for validation and addition to a blockchain associated with theblockchain network.

In one embodiment, a separate answer submission may be received for eachexam answer of the plurality of exam answers. In some embodiments, theanswer submission may include a separate digital signature for each examanswer of the plurality of exam answers, and validating the digitalsignature may include validating the digital signature for each examanswer of the plurality of exam answers.

In one embodiment, the method 400 may further include: generating, foreach incorrect exam answer, a corresponding data value that includes atleast the validated digital signature; and transmitting, by thetransmitter of the processing server, the corresponding data valuegenerated for each incorrect exam answer for addition to a separateblockchain. In some embodiments, the method 400 may also include:calculating, by the processing device of the processing server, anoverall score based on at least a number of correct exam answers and anumber of incorrect exam answers; generating, by the processing deviceof the processing server, an additional blockchain data value thatincludes at least the overall score and the digital signature; andtransmitting, by the transmitter of the processing server, the generatedadditional blockchain value to one or more nodes in the blockchainnetwork.

In one embodiment, the method 400 may further include identifying, bythe processing device of the processing server, the answer key based onat least an identification value included in the received answersubmission. In a further embodiment, the answer key may be stored in aseparate blockchain. In some embodiments, the method 400 may alsoinclude: receiving, by the receiver of the processing server, an examrequest, wherein the exam request includes an identification value and aunique data value that is subject to a time condition; and transmitting,by the transmitter of the processing server, a plurality of examquestions associated with the identification value if a present timesatisfies the time condition, wherein each of the plurality of examanswers corresponds to one of the plurality of exam questions.

Computer System Architecture

FIG. 5 illustrates a computer system 500 in which embodiments of thepresent disclosure, or portions thereof, may be implemented ascomputer-readable code. For example, the processing server 102 of FIG. 1may be implemented in the computer system 500 using hardware, software,firmware, non-transitory computer readable media having instructionsstored thereon, or a combination thereof and may be implemented in oneor more computer systems or other processing systems. Hardware,software, or any combination thereof may embody modules and componentsused to implement the methods of FIGS. 3 and 4.

If programmable logic is used, such logic may execute on a commerciallyavailable processing platform configured by executable software code tobecome a specific purpose computer or a special purpose device (e.g.,programmable logic array, application-specific integrated circuit,etc.). A person having ordinary skill in the art may appreciate thatembodiments of the disclosed subject matter can be practiced withvarious computer system configurations, including multi-coremultiprocessor systems, minicomputers, mainframe computers, computerslinked or clustered with distributed functions, as well as pervasive orminiature computers that may be embedded into virtually any device. Forinstance, at least one processor device and a memory may be used toimplement the above described embodiments.

A processor unit or device as discussed herein may be a singleprocessor, a plurality of processors, or combinations thereof. Processordevices may have one or more processor “cores.” The terms “computerprogram medium,” “non-transitory computer readable medium,” and“computer usable medium” as discussed herein are used to generally referto tangible media such as a removable storage unit 518, a removablestorage unit 522, and a hard disk installed in hard disk drive 512.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure are described in terms ofthis example computer system 500. After reading this description, itwill become apparent to a person skilled in the relevant art how toimplement the present disclosure using other computer systems and/orcomputer architectures. Although operations may be described as asequential process, some of the operations may in fact be performed inparallel, concurrently, and/or in a distributed environment, and withprogram code stored locally or remotely for access by single ormulti-processor machines. In addition, in some embodiments the order ofoperations may be rearranged without departing from the spirit of thedisclosed subject matter.

Processor device 504 may be a special purpose or a general purposeprocessor device specifically configured to perform the functionsdiscussed herein. The processor device 504 may be connected to acommunications infrastructure 506, such as a bus, message queue,network, multi-core message-passing scheme, etc. The network may be anynetwork suitable for performing the functions as disclosed herein andmay include a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), awireless network (e.g., WiFi), a mobile communication network, asatellite network, the Internet, fiber optic, coaxial cable, infrared,radio frequency (RF), or any combination thereof. Other suitable networktypes and configurations will be apparent to persons having skill in therelevant art. The computer system 500 may also include a main memory 508(e.g., random access memory, read-only memory, etc.), and may alsoinclude a secondary memory 510. The secondary memory 510 may include thehard disk drive 512 and a removable storage drive 514, such as a floppydisk drive, a magnetic tape drive, an optical disk drive, a flashmemory, etc.

The removable storage drive 514 may read from and/or write to theremovable storage unit 518 in a well-known manner. The removable storageunit 518 may include a removable storage media that may be read by andwritten to by the removable storage drive 514. For example, if theremovable storage drive 514 is a floppy disk drive or universal serialbus port, the removable storage unit 518 may be a floppy disk orportable flash drive, respectively. In one embodiment, the removablestorage unit 518 may be non-transitory computer readable recordingmedia.

In some embodiments, the secondary memory 510 may include alternativemeans for allowing computer programs or other instructions to be loadedinto the computer system 500, for example, the removable storage unit522 and an interface 520. Examples of such means may include a programcartridge and cartridge interface (e.g., as found in video gamesystems), a removable memory chip (e.g., EEPROM, PROM, etc.) andassociated socket, and other removable storage units 522 and interfaces520 as will be apparent to persons having skill in the relevant art.

Data stored in the computer system 500 (e.g., in the main memory 508and/or the secondary memory 510) may be stored on any type of suitablecomputer readable media, such as optical storage (e.g., a compact disc,digital versatile disc, Blu-ray disc, etc.) or magnetic tape storage(e.g., a hard disk drive). The data may be configured in any type ofsuitable database configuration, such as a relational database, astructured query language (SQL) database, a distributed database, anobject database, etc. Suitable configurations and storage types will beapparent to persons having skill in the relevant art.

The computer system 500 may also include a communications interface 524.The communications interface 524 may be configured to allow software anddata to be transferred between the computer system 500 and externaldevices. Exemplary communications interfaces 524 may include a modem, anetwork interface (e.g., an Ethernet card), a communications port, aPCMCIA slot and card, etc. Software and data transferred via thecommunications interface 524 may be in the form of signals, which may beelectronic, electromagnetic, optical, or other signals as will beapparent to persons having skill in the relevant art. The signals maytravel via a communications path 526, which may be configured to carrythe signals and may be implemented using wire, cable, fiber optics, aphone line, a cellular phone link, a radio frequency link, etc.

The computer system 500 may further include a display interface 502. Thedisplay interface 502 may be configured to allow data to be transferredbetween the computer system 500 and external display 530. Exemplarydisplay interfaces 502 may include high-definition multimedia interface(HDMI), digital visual interface (DVI), video graphics array (VGA), etc.The display 530 may be any suitable type of display for displaying datatransmitted via the display interface 502 of the computer system 500,including a cathode ray tube (CRT) display, liquid crystal display(LCD), light-emitting diode (LED) display, capacitive touch display,thin-film transistor (TFT) display, etc.

Computer program medium and computer usable medium may refer tomemories, such as the main memory 508 and secondary memory 510, whichmay be memory semiconductors (e.g., DRAMs, etc.). These computer programproducts may be means for providing software to the computer system 500.Computer programs (e.g., computer control logic) may be stored in themain memory 508 and/or the secondary memory 510. Computer programs mayalso be received via the communications interface 524. Such computerprograms, when executed, may enable computer system 500 to implement thepresent methods as discussed herein. In particular, the computerprograms, when executed, may enable processor device 504 to implementthe methods illustrated by FIGS. 3 and 4, as discussed herein.Accordingly, such computer programs may represent controllers of thecomputer system 500. Where the present disclosure is implemented usingsoftware, the software may be stored in a computer program product andloaded into the computer system 500 using the removable storage drive514, interface 520, and hard disk drive 512, or communications interface524.

The processor device 504 may comprise one or more modules or enginesconfigured to perform the functions of the computer system 500. Each ofthe modules or engines may be implemented using hardware and, in someinstances, may also utilize software, such as corresponding to programcode and/or programs stored in the main memory 508 or secondary memory510. In such instances, program code may be compiled by the processordevice 504 (e.g., by a compiling module or engine) prior to execution bythe hardware of the computer system 500. For example, the program codemay be source code written in a programming language that is translatedinto a lower level language, such as assembly language or machine code,for execution by the processor device 504 and/or any additional hardwarecomponents of the computer system 500. The process of compiling mayinclude the use of lexical analysis, preprocessing, parsing, semanticanalysis, syntax-directed translation, code generation, codeoptimization, and any other techniques that may be suitable fortranslation of program code into a lower level language suitable forcontrolling the computer system 500 to perform the functions disclosedherein. It will be apparent to persons having skill in the relevant artthat such processes result in the computer system 500 being a speciallyconfigured computer system 500 uniquely programmed to perform thefunctions discussed above.

Techniques consistent with the present disclosure provide, among otherfeatures, systems and methods for examination scoring via blockchain.While various exemplary embodiments of the disclosed system and methodhave been described above it should be understood that they have beenpresented for purposes of example only, not limitations. It is notexhaustive and does not limit the disclosure to the precise formdisclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light of theabove teachings or may be acquired from practicing of the disclosure,without departing from the breadth or scope.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for examination scoring via blockchain,comprising: receiving, by a receiver of a processing server, an answersubmission from an external computing device, wherein the answersubmission includes at least one digital signature and a plurality ofexam answers; validating, by a processing device of the processingserver, the digital signature using a public key of a cryptographic keypair; determining, for each of the plurality of exam answers, if therespective exam answer is correct or incorrect based on an answer key;generating, for each correct exam answer, a blockchain data value,wherein the blockchain data value includes at least the validateddigital signature; transmitting, by a transmitter of the processingserver, the generated blockchain data values to one or more nodes in ablockchain network for validation and addition to a blockchainassociated with the blockchain network.
 2. The method of claim 1,wherein a separate answer submission is received for each exam answer ofthe plurality of exam answers.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein theanswer submission includes a separate digital signature for each examanswer of the plurality of exam answers, and validating the digitalsignature includes validating the digital signature for each exam answerof the plurality of exam answers.
 4. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: generating, for each incorrect exam answer, a correspondingdata value that includes at least the validated digital signature; andtransmitting, by the transmitter of the processing server, thecorresponding data value generated for each incorrect exam answer foraddition to a separate blockchain.
 5. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: calculating, by the processing device of the processingserver, an overall score based on at least a number of correct examanswers and a number of incorrect exam answers; generating, by theprocessing device of the processing server, an additional blockchaindata value that includes at least the overall score and the digitalsignature; and transmitting, by the transmitter of the processingserver, the generated additional blockchain value to one or more nodesin the blockchain network.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:identifying, by the processing device of the processing server, theanswer key based on at least an identification value included in thereceived answer submission.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the answerkey is stored in a separate blockchain.
 8. The method of claim 1,further comprising: receiving, by the receiver of the processing server,an exam request, wherein the exam request includes an identificationvalue and a unique data value that is subject to a time condition; andtransmitting, by the transmitter of the processing server, a pluralityof exam questions associated with the identification value if a presenttime satisfies the time condition, wherein each of the plurality of examanswers corresponds to one of the plurality of exam questions.
 9. Asystem for examination scoring via blockchain, comprising: a receiver ofa processing server configured to receive an answer submission from anexternal computing device, wherein the answer submission includes atleast one digital signature and a plurality of exam answers; aprocessing device of the processing server configured to validate thedigital signature using a public key of a cryptographic key pair,determine, for each of the plurality of exam answers, if the respectiveexam answer is correct or incorrect based on an answer key, andgenerate, for each correct exam answer, a blockchain data value, whereinthe blockchain data value includes at least the validated digitalsignature; and a transmitter of the processing server configured totransmit the generated blockchain data values to one or more nodes in ablockchain network for validation and addition to a blockchainassociated with the blockchain network.
 10. The system of claim 9,wherein a separate answer submission is received for each exam answer ofthe plurality of exam answers.
 11. The system of claim 9, wherein theanswer submission includes a separate digital signature for each examanswer of the plurality of exam answers, and validating the digitalsignature includes validating the digital signature for each exam answerof the plurality of exam answers.
 12. The system of claim 9, wherein theprocessing device is further configured to generate, for each incorrectexam answer, a corresponding data value that includes at least thevalidated digital signature; and the transmitter of the processingserver is further configured to transmit the corresponding data valuegenerated for each incorrect exam answer for addition to a separateblockchain.
 13. The system of claim 9, wherein the processing device ofthe processing server is further configured to calculate an overallscore based on at least a number of correct exam answers and a number ofincorrect exam answers, and generate an additional blockchain data valuethat includes at least the overall score and the digital signature, andthe transmitter of the processing server is further configured totransmit the generated additional blockchain value to one or more nodesin the blockchain network.
 14. The system of claim 1, wherein theprocessing device of the processing server is further configured toidentify the answer key based on at least an identification valueincluded in the received answer submission.
 15. The system of claim 14,wherein the answer key is stored in a separate blockchain.
 16. Thesystem of claim 9, wherein the receiver of the processing server isfurther configured to receive an exam request, wherein the exam requestincludes an identification value and a unique data value that is subjectto a time condition, the transmitter of the processing server is furtherconfigured to transmit a plurality of exam questions associated with theidentification value if a present time satisfies the time condition, andeach of the plurality of exam answers corresponds to one of theplurality of exam questions.